Method and apparatus for radio resources management

ABSTRACT

Various examples provide a method for radio resources management. An MCE or a GCSE AS or a UE receives usage information of eMBMS radio resources, and adjusts radio resources in response to a determination that there is an overload state. The MCE may re-configure the eMBMS radio resources. Alternatively, the UE or the GCSE AS may establish a unicast channel for transporting a GCSE service which was transmitted on an overloaded eMBMS bearer, and release the eMBMS bearer. The technical mechanism can make effective use of radio interface resources and reduce data loss.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS/INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

The present application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.14/791,343 titled “METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR RADIO RESOURCES MANAGEMENT”and filed on Jul. 3, 2015, (to issue as U.S. Pat. No. 9,924,494), whichin turn claims priority to and claims the benefit of Chinese PatentApplication No. 201410318246.3 filed on Jul. 4, 2014. The contents ofeach of the above applications are hereby incorporated herein byreference in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to wireless communications, andparticularly, to a method and an apparatus for radio resourcesmanagement.

BACKGROUND

Modern mobile communications are tending to provide high speedtransmission of multimedia services for users. FIG. 1 is a schematicdiagram illustrating a structure of a long term evolution (LTE) system.

In the system, user equipment (UE) 101 is a terminal device whichreceives data. Evolved universal terrestrial radio access network(E-UTRAN) 102 is a wireless access network using evolved Node B(eNodeBs, eNBs) or Node Bs (NodeBs, NBs) to provide the UEs 101 withinterfaces for accessing the wireless network 102. Mobility managemententity (MME) 103 manages mobility context, session context and securityinformation of UEs 101. Serving gateway (SGW) 104 provides user planefunctions. MME 103 and SGW 104 may reside in the same physical entity.Packet data network (PDN) gateway (PGW) 105 implements functionsincluding accounting, lawful interception and so on, and may reside inthe same physical entity with SGW 104. Policy and charging rulesfunctions (PCRF) 106 provides Quality of Service (QoS) policies andcharging rules. Serving GPRS support node (SGSN) 108 is a network nodedevice providing routing for data transmission in the universal mobiletelecommunications system (UMTS). Home subscriber server (HSS) 109 is ahome sub system of the UE, and maintains user information including acurrent location of the UE, the address of the serving node, usersecurity information, packet data context of the UE, and so on.

Group call services aim at providing a fast and effective mechanism todistribute data copies to users in a group. The concept of group callhas been adopted in land mobile radio (LMR) systems for public securityorganizations. A typical application of group call is providing a “Pushto Talk” (PTT) function. When group call is introduced into LTE systems,the LTE group call services need to support at least PTT audiocommunication and generate performances comparable to performances ofconventional group communications. Group call services in systemarchitecture evolution (SAE) are required to support UE in differentstates and UEs in different environments. LTE provides wide band datatransmission, and group call services of LTE are required to supportdata communications of voice, video and the like.

Group communication service enabler (GCSE) of LTE enables group call byintroducing functions of the application layer into 3^(rd) generationpartnership project (3GPP) standards. LTE users are divided intodifferent groups, and a user may belong to one or multiple differentGCSE groups. A user that receives GCSE service data in a GCSE group isreferred to as a receiving group member, and a user that sends servicedata is referred to as a sending group member. Group call iscommunication between a sending group member and a receiving groupmember. Group call is also required to enable a user to communicate withmultiple groups. For example, a user may carry out voice service with agroup, and meanwhile perform video or data communication with anothergroup.

In order to use air interface resources effectively, service data thatis to be received by multiple receiving users is provided to the usersvia broadcasting and multicasting. The service is also referred to asmultimedia broadcast and multicast service (MBMS). Each MBMS bearerprovides services within its service area. Each cell in a service areahas a dedicated control channel (MCCH) for transmitting MBMS signaling.Broadcast multicast service center (BM-SC) is an MBMS providing centerwhich sends MBMS data to an MBMS gateway (MBMS-GW). MBMS-GW is a logicnode or a network node between a BM-SC and an eNB, and is forsending/broadcasting MBMS data packets to each eNB that is to transmitdata. The MBMS-GW sends a data packet to an eNB which transmits data toa user. Control signaling is sent by the BM-SC to the MBMS-GW, and thensent to E-UTRAN by an MME. Multi-cell/multicast coordination entity(MCE) is a node in E-UTRAN which receives MBMS signaling, decides themulticast-broadcast single-frequency network (MBSFN) transmission modethat is to be adopted and sends signaling to a corresponding eNB. Inconventional mechanisms, a continuous area is defined, and eNBs in thearea synchronously transmit the same MBMS signals on the same carrier toimprove reception quality of MBMS services at users. The continuous areais referred to as a single frequency network (SFN) area. An SFN areaincludes a group of cells that cover a continuous geological area. Thecells synchronously transmit a certain MBMS service using the same radioresources.

A GCSE service may be transmitted on a LTE evolved multimedia broadcastmulticast service (eMBMS) bearer or on a unicast bearer. FIG. 2 is aschematic diagram illustrating an architecture of transmitting a GCSEservice via an eMBMS bearer and via a unicast bearer. A GCSE applicationserver (GCSE AS) sends service data to an MBMS GW, and the MBMS-GW sendsthe service data to multiple UEs via an eMBMS bearer. Alternatively, theservice data may be sent to a PGW, and the PGW sends the service data toa UE via a unicast bearer.

But conventional eMBMS techniques cannot satisfy requirements of GCSEservices, for example, GCSE services require a data bearer to beestablished within 300 ms, but according to eMBMS, an MCE needs to firstsend signaling to all of eNBs in an MBSFN and the eNBs synchronouslytransmit MBMS control information via respective air interfaces, thetime needed by the process has exceeded the time required by the GCSEservices. At present, two methods are proposed to solve the problem.According to one method, eMBMS bearers are established in advance.According to the other method, unicast bearers are established in thenetwork, and data is transmitted to receiving group members via theunicast bearers. Meanwhile, the network starts to establish eMBMSbearers. After the eMBMS bearers are established, data are transmittedto the receiving group members via the eMBMS bearers. Within a timeperiod, data is transmitted via the unicast bearers and the eMBMSbearers simultaneously.

The methods can avoid the delay in bearer establishment, but thefollowing problems are still to be solved.

In current eMBMS systems, an MCE allocates radio resources for eMBMS,and multiple eMBMS channel (MCH) share the eMBMS radio resources. AnMBMS channel may be reused by multiple MBMS services. GCSE servicescharacterize in that there is no GCSE data transmission in most of thetime in each cyclic time period of a GCSE group and active time in whichthere is data transmission is very short. In addition, different groupshave different active time, and generally do not transmit GCSE servicedata at the same time. Therefore, data of multiple GCSE services can betransmitted over an air interface in a multiplexing manner to use airinterface resources effectively. When the number of users in a groupincreases or when the number of GCSE user groups increases or when thenumber of users in a group is unchanged but the amount ofto-be-transmitted data increases significantly, there may be a suddenincrease in the amount of data and the pre-allocated eMBMS radioresources may become not enough to transmit the increased amount ofdata. When data exceeds the transmission capacity of the transmissionchannel, an eNB may discard service data on the last bearer multiplexedon the MCH. A large amount of data loss generates problems in group callservices, and UEs and GCSE AS cannot take actions to solve the problemsbecause they do not know the problem.

Another problem is that when group call service data cannot betransmitted properly because resources of some MBMS bearers may beoccupied by other services that have higher priority levels or becausean eNB malfunctions, UEs and GCSE AS cannot take measures of solve theproblem because they do not know the problem. Therefore, a radio accessnetwork (RAN) node needs to report the situation to the GCSE AS.

Another problem is that all eNBs within an MBSFN perform the sameactions. Therefore, all the eNBs within the MBSFN report the sameinformation, and the repeatedly reported data is redundant for an M2interface.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Various examples of the present disclosure provide a method and anapparatus for radio resources management. The mechanism of the variousexamples can effectively use air interface resources, reduce data loss,and reduce signaling load and data transmitted via network interfaces.

A method for radio resources management may include:

-   -   an MCE receives usage information of eMBMS radio resources sent        by an eNB;    -   re-configuring, by the MCE, the eMBMS radio resources to        eliminate an overloaded state when the MCE determines that the        eMBMS radio resources are in the overloaded state according to        the usage information of the eMBMS radio resources.

In an example, the usage information of the eMBMS radio resources sentby the eNB may include: an indication indicating whether the radioresources of the eMBMS are overloaded.

In an example, the indication indicating whether the radio resources ofthe eMBMS are overloaded may include: an indication and an MBSFN rangecorresponding to the overloaded resources; or

-   -   an indicator, an MBSFN range corresponding to the overloaded        resources and an identity of an MCH that is overloaded; or    -   an indicator, a temporary mobile group identity (TMGI) of a        specified eMBMS bearer on an overloaded MCH.

In an example, the identity of the MCH may be: an MCH serial numberreported to the eNB by the MCE or an MCH serial number determined basedon an order of MCHs configured in a message including MCE configurationand scheduling information.

In an example, the specified eMBMS bearer may include: an eMBMS bearerwhich has packet loss, or an eMBMS bearer that bears the largest amountof data;

-   -   all of eNBs within the same MBSFN area that report the usage        information of the eMBMS radio resources have the same specific        eMBMS bearer.

In an example, the usage information of the eMBMS radio resources sentby the eNB may include actual usage condition of eMBMS radio resourceswithin an MBSFN area.

In an example, the MCE determines a usage level of the radio resourcesaccording to the actual usage condition of the radio resources;

-   -   when the usage level of the eMBMS radio resources in the MBSFN        area is fully loaded or overloaded, the method may also include:        the MCE rejects a session start message for a new eMBMS bearer        sent by an MME.

In an example, the actual usage condition of the eMBMS radio resourcesmay include: actual usage condition of radio resources of each MCH in anMBSFN.

In an example, the method may also include: the MCE informs the eNB ofthe identity of each MCH; the actual usage condition of the eMBMS radioresources sent by the eNB includes the identity of each MCH and theactual usage condition of radio resources of each MCH; or

-   -   actual usage condition of radio resources of MCHs sent by the        eNB are arrange in the order of configuration information of the        MCHs arranged in a configuration and scheduling message; or    -   the actual usage condition of the eMBMS radio resources sent by        the eNB may include usage condition of each MCH and a TMGI of a        specific eMBMS bearer or TMGIs of all of eMBMS bearers that        reuse the MCH.

In an example, the MCE determines a usage level of the radio resourcesaccording to the actual usage condition of the radio resources;

-   -   when the usage level of resources of all MCHs in an MBSFN area        is overloaded, the method may also include: the MCE rejects a        session start message for a new eMBMS bearer sent by an MME.

In an example, the actual usage condition of radio resources mayinclude: a resource usage level, or a percentage value of actuallyin-use radio resources in allocated resources, or a percentage value ofidle radio resources in allocated resources, or the amount of actuallytransmitted data, or the amount of data that can be transported by radioresources.

In an example, the method may also include: the MCE selects an eNB in anMBSFN area, and configures the eNB to send usage information of eMBMSradio resources in the MBSFN area.

In an example, the MCE configures the eNB via an M2 setup responsemessage or a customized message.

In an example, the eNB is configured to send the usage information ofthe eMBMS radio resources periodically or in response to a triggerevent.

In an example, the procedure of reconfiguring the eMBMS radio resourcesmay include:

-   -   the MCE increases radio resources allocated to the eMBMS; or    -   the MCE increases radio resources allocated to an overloaded        MCH, and reduces radio resources allocated to an MCH not        overloaded.

In an example, the method may also include: the MCE receives informationfrom the eNB indicating the overloaded state has been eliminated,accepts a session start message for a new eMBMS bearer sent by the MME.

A method for radio resources management may include:

-   -   receiving, by a GCSE AS, usage information of eMBMS radio        resources sent by a BM-SC; the usage information of the eMBMS        radio resources is determined by the BM-SC according to usage        information of the eMBMS radio resources sent by an eNB via an        MCE;    -   adjusting, by the GCSE AS, scheduling of services transported on        the eMBMS radio resources according to the usage information of        the eMBMS radio resources.

In an example, the information about usage of radio resources of theeMBMS sent by the eNB may include: an indication indicating whether theradio resources of the eMBMS are overloaded;

-   -   when forwarding the usage information of the radio resources,        the MCE forwards an overload indication and a TMGI of an eMBMS        bearer, or forwards an overload indication and information of an        overload range;    -   the usage information of the eMBMS radio resources sent by the        BM-SC includes: an overload indication and a TMGI of an eMBMS        bearer forwarded by the MCE, or an overload indication and TMGI        of one or multiple eMBMS bearers selected by the BM-SC from        overload range information forwarded by the MCE, or an overload        indication and overload range information forwarded by the MCE;    -   the procedure of the GCSE AS adjusting the scheduling of        services transported on the eMBMS radio resources may include:        establishing using a unicast channel a GCSE service        corresponding to an eMBMS bearer identified by the TMGI sent by        the BM-SC or a GCSE service corresponding to the one or multiple        eMBMS bearers selected from the overload range information sent        by the BM-SC, and informing the BM-SC to release the eMBMS        bearer.

In an example, the identity of the eMBMS bearer forwarded by the MCE mayinclude: a TMGI of an eMBMS bearer included in the information sent bythe eNB, or the TMGI of one or multiple eMBMS bearers selected by theMCE from an MBSFN area included in the information sent by the eNB;and/or

-   -   the overload range information forwarded by the MCE may include:        an MBSFN identity included in the information sent by the eNB,        or a service area identity (SAI) determined by the MCE using the        MBSFN identity included in the information.

In an example, the indication indicating whether the radio resources ofthe eMBMS are overloaded may include: an overload indication and anMBSFN range corresponding to the overload; or

-   -   an overload indicator, an MBSFN area corresponding to the        overload and an identity of an MCH that is overloaded; or    -   an overload indicator, a TMGI identity of a specified eMBMS        bearer on an overloaded MCH.

In an example, the identity of the MCH may be: an MCH serial numberreported to the eNB by the MCE or an MCH serial number determined basedon an order of MCHs configured in a message including MCE configurationand scheduling information.

In an example, the usage information of the eMBMS radio resources sentby the eNB may include usage information of eMBMS radio resources withinan MBSFN area.

In an example, when forwarding the usage information of the eMBMS radioresources, the MCE forwards actual usage condition of the eMBMS radioresources sent by the eNB, or forwards a usage state of the eMBMS radioresources determined using the actual usage condition of the eMBMS radioresources and a range of the eMBMS radio resources;

-   -   the usage information of the eMBMS radio resources sent by the        BM-SC may include: the actual usage condition of the eMBMS radio        resources or the usage state of the eMBMS radio resources and        the range of the eMBMS radio resources forwarded by the MCE;    -   the procedure of the GCSE AS adjusting the scheduling of        services transported on the eMBMS radio resources may include:        the GCSE AS selecting one or multiple eMBMS bearers from the        MBSFN area when determining the eMBMS radio resources are        overloaded according to the actual usage condition of the eMBMS        radio resources or according to the usage state of the eMBMS        radio resources, establishing a unicast channel for transporting        a GCSE service transported in the one or multiple eMBMS bearers,        and informing the BM-SC to release the one or multiple eMBMS        bearers.

In an example, when determining the eMBMS radio resources are overloadedaccording to the actual usage condition of the eMBMS radio resourcessent by the eNB, the MCE selects one or multiple eMBMS bearers from anMBSFN area, and forwards an overload indication and a TMGI of the one ormultiple eMBMS bearer selected when forwarding the usage information ofthe eMBMS radio resources; or

-   -   when determining the eMBMS radio resources are overloaded        according to usage information of the eMBMS radio resources sent        by the eNB, the MCE forwards an overload indication and an        overload range information when forwarding the usage information        of the eMBMS radio resources.

In an example, the usage information of the eMBMS radio resources sentby the BM-SC may include: an overload indication and a TMGI of the eMBMSbearer forwarded by the MCE, or an overload indication and a TMGI of oneor multiple eMBMS bearers selected from the overload range informationforwarded by the MCE;

-   -   the procedure of the GCSE AS adjusting the scheduling of        services transported on the eMBMS radio resources may include:        establishing a unicast channel for transporting a GCSE service        corresponding to an eMBMS bearer identified by the TMGI sent by        the BM-SC, and informing the BM-SC to release the eMBMS bearer.

In an example, the usage information of the eMBMS radio resources sentby the eNB may include: actual usage condition of radio resources ofeach MCH in an MBSFN.

In an example, the method may also include: the MCE informs the eNB ofthe identity of each MCH; the actual usage condition of the eMBMS radioresources sent by the eNB includes the identity of each MCH and theactual usage condition of radio resources of each MCH; or

-   -   actual usage condition of radio resources of MCHs sent by the        eNB are arranged in the order of configuration information of        the MCHs arranged in a configuration and scheduling message; or    -   the actual usage condition of the eMBMS radio resources sent by        the eNB may include usage condition of each MCH and a TMGI of a        specific eMBMS bearer or TMGIs of all of eMBMS bearers that        reuse the MCH.

In an example, when forwarding the usage information of the eMBMS radioresources, the MCE forwards actual usage condition of radio resources ofeach MCH sent by the eNB, or forwards a usage state of the eMBMS radioresources determined according to the actual usage condition of radioresources of each MCH;

-   -   the usage information of the eMBMS radio resources sent by the        BM-SC may include: the actual usage condition of radio resources        of each MCH or the usage state of the eMBMS radio resources        forwarded by the MCE;    -   the procedure of the GCSE AS adjusting the scheduling of        services transported on the eMBMS radio resources may include:        the GCSE AS selecting one or multiple eMBMS bearers from a range        corresponding to the eMBMS radio resources when determining the        eMBMS radio resources are overloaded according to the actual        usage condition of the radio resources of each MCH or according        to the usage state of the eMBMS radio resources, establishing a        unicast channel for transporting a GCSE service transported in        the one or multiple eMBMS bearers, and informing the BM-SC to        release the one or multiple eMBMS bearers.

In an example, when determining the eMBMS radio resources are overloadedaccording to the actual usage condition of radio resources of each MCHsent by the eNB, the MCE selects one or multiple eMBMS bearers from alleMBMS bearers reusing the MCH, and forwards an overload indication and aTMGI of the one or multiple eMBMS bearer selected when forwarding theusage information of the eMBMS radio resources; or

-   -   when determining the eMBMS radio resources are overloaded        according to usage information of radio resources of each MCH        sent by the eNB, the MCE forwards an overload indication and an        overload range information when forwarding the usage information        of the eMBMS radio resources.

In an example, the usage information of the eMBMS radio resources sentby the BM-SC may include: an overload indication and a TMGI of the eMBMSbearer forwarded by the MCE, or an overload indication and a TMGI of oneor multiple eMBMS bearers selected from the overload range informationforwarded by the MCE;

-   -   the procedure of the GCSE AS adjusting the scheduling of        services transported on the eMBMS radio resources may include:        establishing a unicast channel for transporting a GCSE service        corresponding to an eMBMS bearer identified by the TMGI sent by        the BM-SC, and informing the BM-SC to release the eMBMS bearer.

In an example, if the actual usage condition of the eMBMS radioresources received by the MCE indicates fully loaded or if the MCEdetermines the eMBMS radio resources are fully loaded according toreceived usage information of radio resources of each MCH, the MCEforwards an overload indication and an MBSFN area corresponding to theeMBMS radio resources when forwarding the usage information of the eMBMSradio resources;

-   -   the usage information of the eMBMS radio resources sent by the        BM-SC may include: an indication indicating the eMBMS radio        resources are fully loaded forwarded by the MCE and an MBSFN        area corresponding to the eMBMS radio resources;    -   the procedure of the GCSE AS adjusting the services transported        on the eMBMS radio resources may include: after receiving the        indication indicating the eMBMS radio resources are fully loaded        and in response to a determination that there is        to-be-transmitted data of a GCSE service on the eMBMS radio        resources, the GCSE AS delays transmission of the        to-be-transmitted data for a pre-defined length of time, or the        GCSE AS selects one or multiple eMBMS bearers from the MBSFN        area and establishing a unicast channel for transporting a GCSE        service transported on the selected one or multiple eMBMS        bearers.

In an example, the actual usage condition of radio resources mayinclude: a resource usage level, or a percentage value of actuallyin-use radio resources in allocated resources, or a percentage value ofidle radio resources in allocated resources, or the amount of actuallytransmitted data, or the amount of data that can be transported usingthe radio resources.

In an example, the method may also include: the MCE selects an eNB in anMBSFN area, and configures the eNB to send usage information of eMBMSradio resources in the MBSFN area.

In an example, the usage information of the eMBMS radio resources sentby the eNB may include an indication indicating there is a failure or anerror in the eNB, an identity of the eNB, or an SAI of the eNB or a TMGIof an eMBMS bearer affected by the failure or the error.

In an example, the usage information of the eMBMS radio resources sentby the BM-SC may include an indication indicating there is a failure oran error in the eNB, an identity of the eNB, or an SAI of the eNB or aTMGI of an eMBMS bearer affected by the failure or the error;

-   -   the procedure of the GCSE AS adjusting the scheduling of a        service transported using the eMBMS radio resources may include:        the GCSE AS establishing a unicast channel for transporting a        GCSE service that is transmitted using the eMBMS bearers        affected by the failure or the error or the eMBMS bearers in the        serving area of the eNB, and informing the BM-SC to release the        eMBMS bearers.

In an example, the usage information of the eMBMS radio resources sentby the eNB may include: overload recovery information, or a failure orerror recovery information, and an SAI or an identity of the eNB;

-   -   the procedure of the GCSE AS adjusting the scheduling of the        service transported using the eMBMS radio resources may include:        the GCSE AS selects a GCSE service from the SAI area or from a        service area of the eNB, and transmits the GCSE service using        the eMBMS bearer; or the GCSE AS increases transmission range of        the eMBMS bearer, changes a service area of the eMBMS, and        informs the BM-SC to perform an update.

A method for radio resources management may include:

-   -   receiving, by a UE, information indicating eMBMS radio resources        are overloaded sent by an eNB, the information includes a TMGI        of an eMBMS bearer to which discarded data belongs;    -   sending, by the UE, a request to a GCSE AS, establishing a        unicast channel for transmitting downlink data of a GCSE service        transported using the eMBMS bearer.

A method for radio resources management may include:

-   -   receiving, by a UE, control information sent by an eNB, the        control information is determined by the eNB according to        scheduling information configured by an MCE; the scheduling        information is configured by the MCE when a new eMBMS bearer        occupies radio resources of an established eMBMS bearer, the        scheduling information includes information of the new eMBMS        bearer and no information of the eMBMS bearer whose radio        resources are occupied by the new eMBMS bearer;    -   after determining the control information includes no        information of the eMBMS bearer whose radio resources are        occupied by the new eMBMS bearer, requesting, by the UE, to        establish a unicast channel for transmitting a GCSE service        transported using the eMBMS bearer whose radio resources are        occupied by the new eMBMS bearer in response to a determination        that the UE needs to receive the GCSE service.

A method for radio resources management may include:

-   -   receiving, by a GCSE AS, a resource state report message sent by        an MCE via a BM-SC, the message includes information indicating        radio resources of an established eMBMS bearer are occupied by a        new eMBMS bearer and a TMGI of the established eMBMS bearer;    -   terminating, by the GCSE AS, the GCSE service transported on the        established eMBMS bearer according to the resource state report        message, and informing the BM-SC to release the established        eMBMS bearer.

In an example, the method may also include: the GCSE AS establishes aunicast channel for transporting the GCSE service transported on theestablished eMBMS bearer according to the resource state report message.

An apparatus for radio resources management may include a receptionmodule and a re-configuration module;

-   -   the reception module is configured to receive usage information        of eMBMS radio resources sent by the eNB, and forward the usage        information to the re-configuration module;    -   the re-configuration module is configured to re-configure the        eMBMS radio resources to eliminate an overloaded state in        response to a determination the eMBMS radio resources are in the        overloaded state according to the usage information of the eMBMS        radio resources.

An apparatus for radio resources management may include a receptionmodule and a scheduling module;

-   -   the reception module is configured to receive usage information        of eMBMS radio resources sent by a BM-SC; the usage information        of the eMBMS radio resources is determined by the BM-SC        according to usage information of the eMBMS radio resources sent        by an eNB via an MCE;    -   the scheduling module is configured to adjust scheduling of a        service transported using the eMBMS radio resources according to        the usage information of the eMBMS radio resources.

An apparatus for radio resources management may include a receptionmodule and a bearer setup module;

-   -   the reception module is configured to receive information sent        by an eNB indicating eMBMS radio resources are overloaded,        forward the information to the bearer setup module; the        information includes a TMGI of an eMBMS bearer to which        discarded data belongs;    -   the bearer setup module is configured to send a request to a        GCSE AS, establish a unicast channel for transmitting downlink        data of a GCSE service transported using the eMBMS bearer.

An apparatus for radio resources management may include a receptionmodule and a bearer setup module;

-   -   the reception module is configured to receive control        information sent by an eNB, and forward the control information        to the bearer setup module; the control information is        determined by the eNB according to scheduling information        configured by an MCE; the scheduling information is configured        by the MCE when a new eMBMS bearer occupies radio resources of        an established eMBMS bearer, the scheduling information includes        information of the new eMBMS bearer and no information of the        established eMBMS bearer whose radio resources are occupied by        the new eMBMS bearer;    -   the bearer setup module is configured to request, by the UE, to        establish a unicast channel for transmitting a GCSE service        transported using the established eMBMS bearer in response to a        determination that the UE needs to receive the GCSE service        after determining the control information includes no        information of the established eMBMS bearer.

An apparatus for radio resources management may include a receptionmodule and a processing module;

-   -   the reception module is configured to receive a resource state        report message sent by an MCE via a BM-SC, the message includes        information indicating radio resources of an established eMBMS        bearer are occupied by a new eMBMS bearer and a TMGI of the        established eMBMS bearer;    -   the processing module is configured to terminate transporting        the GCSE service using the established eMBMS bearer according to        the resource state report message, and inform the BM-SC to        release the established eMBMS bearer.

According to the above technical mechanism, an MCE or a GCSE AS or a UEreceives usage information of eMBMS radio resources sent by an eNB,adjusts the radio resources in response to a determination that theeMBMS radio resources are overloaded. The MCE may re-configure the eMBMSradio resources, or the UE or the GCSE AS may establish a unicastchannel to transmit service data of a GCSE service transported on theeMBMS bearer, and release the eMBMS bearer. The technical mechanism canmake effective use of radio interface resources and reduce data loss.Furthermore, as to the reporting the usage information of eMBMS radioresources by the eNB, it may be configured that only one eNB within anMBSFN area reports the usage information to reduce signaling overheadand data transmission of network interfaces.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a conventional SAE system;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a GCSE structure;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a method for radio resourcesmanagement in accordance with an example of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a method for radio resourcesmanagement in accordance with an example of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a method in accordance with the anexample of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a method in accordance with anexample of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a method in accordance with anexample of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a method in accordance with anexample of the present disclosure;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a method in accordance with anexample of the present disclosure;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a method in accordance with anexample of the present disclosure;

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a method in accordance with anexample of the present disclosure;

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a method in accordance with anexample of the present disclosure;

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a method in accordance with anexample of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a method in accordance with anexample of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In order to make the objectives, technical schemes and merits of thepresent invention clearer, a detailed description of the presentinvention is hereinafter given with reference to specific embodiments.

According to an example, a GCSE server or an MCE or a UE receivesinformation reported by a wireless access point, and decides the bearerfor transporting GCSE data. The method of examples can reduce data lossresulted from a change in the data bearer, reduce the delay inestablishment of a data bearer, effectively use radio interfaceresources, and reduce UE power consumption. FIG. 3 is a flowchartillustrating a method for radio resources management in accordance withan example of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 3, the method mayinclude the following procedures.

At block 301, an MCE receives usage information of eMBMS radio resourcessent by an eNB.

At block 302, the MCE re-configures the eMBMS resources according to thereport from the eNB to eliminate an overloaded state.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a method for radio resourcesmanagement in accordance with an example of the present disclosure. Asshown in FIG. 4, the method may include the following procedures.

At block 401, a GCSE AS receives usage information of eMBMS radioresources sent by a BM-SC.

The usage information of the eMBMS radio resources sent by the BM-SC isdetermined based on usage information of the eMBMS radio resources sentby an eNB via an MCE. In an example, the BM-SC may directly forward theusage information of the eMBMS radio resources sent by the MCE, ordetermine further information based on the usage information sent by theMCE and send the further information to the GCSE AS.

At block 402, the GCSE AS adjusts scheduling of a service transportedusing the eMBMS radio resources according to the usage information ofthe eMBMS radio resources.

The usage information of the eMBMS radio resources may be one ormultiple of the following:

-   -   1: radio resources are overloaded;    -   2: condition of radio resources usage;    -   3: usage information of radio resources of a certain        transmission channel;    -   4: information indicating an error occurred in an eNB;    -   5: the eNB has eliminated the overloaded state or has recovered        from a failure.

According to the above methods, through re-configuration of the eMBMSradio resources by the MCE or through adjusting the scheduling of a GCSEservice by the GCSE AS, data loss in case of a failure or an error of aneNB resulted from an overloaded bearer can be reduced, and situationswhen GCSE service data exceeds the transmission capacity of radioresources can be avoided.

The above methods are described in further detail with reference toseveral examples (examples 1-3 and 7-8). The processes are implementedthrough interactions between physical entities. The two methods bothneed an eNB to report usage information of eMBMS radio resources to anMCE and the report procedure is the same in the two methods. Thus thetwo methods are described in the same example.

Example 1

In this example, the usage information of eMBMS radio resources reportedby an eNB is information indicating an overload state. The eNB sends theoverload information to an MCE. The MCE may send the overloadinformation to a GCSE AS via a core network. The GCSE AS may send someof GCSE services using unicast bearers as in the method shown in FIG. 4.Alternatively, the MCE may re-allocate MBMS radio resources to eliminatethe overloaded state of the eNB as in the method shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 5is a flowchart illustrating a detailed process of example 1. The processmay include the following procedures.

At block 501, an eNB report an overload indication (notification) to anMCE.

The eNB get the knowledge that radio resources corresponding to an eMBMSbearer are allocated to the eNB from a scheduling information messagesent by the MCE. According to conventional mechanisms, multipletransmission channels MCH may share the radio resources, and multipleeMBMS bearers may be multiplexed in one MCH, and the order of themultiplexing is configured in the scheduling information. An eMBMSbearer is uniquely identified by a TMGI.

The eNB receives data from an MBMG-GW, and sends the data using theeMBMS radio resources according to the above multiplexing rule. Whenthere is a sudden increase in the amount of data transmitted on an eMBMSbearer and the increased data is beyond the transmission capacity of theMCH, the eNB discards data packets that are the last data packetsmultiplexed on to the eMBMS bearer.

When the eNB discards data packets, it means the radio resources are notenough to transport all of the data, and the eNB report the overloadindication to the MCE. Radio resources are configured for an MBSFN, aneNB may cover multiple MBSFNs, and different MBSFNs may have differentresource usage conditions. Therefore, the message may include theidentity of the MBSFN corresponding to the overloaded radio resources.

The overload indication may be implemented in different manners.

In an example, the eNB reports the overload indication withoutspecifying the transmission channel that is overloaded. The message inblock 501 may include information specifying an MBSFN area and anoverload indication. The overload indication may be represented by thename of the message or an information element included in the message.

According to another example, the eNB reports overload information of atransmission channel. The message in block 501 may include informationspecifying an MBSFN area, an identity of an MCH and an overloadindication. The overload indication may be represented by the name ofthe message or an information element included in the message. Theconventional message used by an MCE for configuring schedulinginformation of eMBMS radio resources does not include the identity of anMCH. The identity of an MCH may be specified in the message explicitly,or via the order of the MCH being configured by the MCE in thescheduling information, for example, the first configured MCH is denotedas 1, and the second configured MCH is denoted as 2, and so on.

In yet another example, the eNB reports the eMBMS bearer that isoverloaded in the transmission channel. The message in block 501 mayinclude an identity of a TMGI and an overload indication. The overloadindication may be represented by the name of the message or aninformation element included in the message. According to conventionalmechanisms of discarding packets by MBMS eNBs, when an MBMS GW transmitsa data packet that is beyond the transmission capacity of radioresources of an MCH, the eNB always discards data packets in the lasteMBMS bearer according to the multiplex order configured. For example,supposing TMGI1 and TMGI2 reuse MCH1 and a sudden increase of dataoccurs in TMGI1, the eNB has to transmit data packets of TMGI1 anddiscard data packets of TMGI2. Further, all eNBs in an MBSFN have totransmit the same data simultaneously. Therefore, all the eNBs arerequired to adopt the same rule, and report the same identity of theservice of the eMBMS bearer in case of an overload. For example, the eNBmay report the identity of the bearer which has packet loss or reportthe identity of the bearer that has the largest amount of data. But itis required that all eNBs report the same information.

After an eNB reports the overload indication, the MCE may have twoprocessing manners respectively as shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4.

The MCE may re-configure radio resources for the eMBMS service inresponse to the overload indication, that is, to perform the procedurein block 502 as shown in FIG. 3.

Alternatively, the MCE may perform the procedure in block 503 andsubsequent procedures shown in FIG. 4. The MCE may send the informationindicating the overload to a GCSE AS via a core network of the LTEsystem. Since information provided by the overload indication isinsufficient or the MCE does not have extra radio resources to allocateto the eMBMS, the MCE may inform the overload situation to a BM-SC and aGCSE AS. The BM-SC may select one or multiple eMBMS bearers and send theoverload indication and TMGIs of the eMBMS bearers to the GCSE AS.Alternatively, the BM-SC may only send the overload indication to theGCSE AS, and the GCSE AS selects one or multiple eMBMS bearers andtransmits GCSE services on the selected eMBMS bearers in unicastchannels. Then the GCSE AS initiates a process to release the eMBMSbearers to reduce data transmitted through eMBMS radio resources andeliminate the overloaded state of the radio resources. Alternatively,the MCE may check eMBMS services being transmitted, select one ormultiple MBMS services, send identities of the MBMS services togetherwith the overload indication to the GCSE AS via the core network of theLTE system.

At block 502, the MCE schedules the eMBMS radio resources.

After receiving the message sent in block 501, the MCE may choose toconfigure more radio resources for the eMBMS. Alternatively, if the MCEhave information of the overloaded MCH, the MCE may allocate moreresources to the MCH while reducing radio resources of other MCHs (thatis, those MCHs that are not overloaded).

At block 503, the MCE sends a message to the core network, the messageincludes information indicating the overload.

The information indicating the overload may be represented by the nameof the message or an information element included in the message.

The message may also include one of the following information items.

-   -   1: TMGI of a bearer. The identity may be the TMGI sent by the        eNB in block 501, or one or multiple TMGIs selected by the MCE        based on configuration of the MBSFN area which includes QoS        information of the eMBMS bearer. The TMGI may be sent to the LTE        core network via the message in block 503. The core network may        include an MME and an MBMS GW. The message is first sent to the        MME, and the MME forwards the message to the MBMS GW.    -   2: The range of the overload. The range of the overload may be        an identity of an MBSFN, or an identity of a service area of the        eNB.

At block 504, the core network sends the message to the BM-SC. Themessage in block 503 is forwarded.

At block 505, the BM-SC sends a message to the GCSE AS. The message mayinclude information indicating the overload.

The information indicating the overload may be represented by the nameof the message or an information element included in the message.

The message may also include the following information items.

-   -   1: TMGI of a bearer. The identity may be the TMGI sent by the        MCE in block 503, or one or multiple TMGIs selected by the BM-SC        based on the range of the overload which includes QoS        information of the eMBMS bearer.    -   2: The range of the overload. The information may be the range        of the overload sent by the MCE in block 503.

At block 506, the GCSE AS establishes a unicast channel for transportinga GCSE service corresponding to the TMGI sent by the BM-SC. The processis the same with that in conventional mechanisms. Alternatively, theGCSE AS may select one or multiple eMBMS bearers according to the rangeof the overload sent by the BM-SC, and establish a unicast channel fortransporting a GCSE service on the eMBMS bearers. Since the GCSE serviceis transmitted in unicast bearers, there is no need to retain the eMBMSbearers corresponding to the GCSE services. The GCSE AS may send amessage to the BM-SC to release the eMBMS bearers.

At block 507, the BM-SC initiates an eMBMS session termination process,and sends a session stop message to MCE via the core network. The MCEschedules the eNB to release the eMBMS radio resources. The process isthe same with that in conventional mechanisms. The process is notdescribed further herein.

Example 2

In this example, the usage information of eMBMS radio resources reportedby an eNB includes actual usage condition of the eMBMS radio resources.The eNB reports the actual usage condition of the eMBMS radio resourcesto the MCE, and the MCE sends the actual usage condition to a GCSE ASvia a core network. The GCSE AS may send some of GCSE services usingunicast bearers as in the method shown in FIG. 4. Alternatively, the MCEmay re-configure MBMS radio resources according to the usage informationof the radio resources to eliminate the overloaded state of the eNB asin the method shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating adetailed process of example 2. The process may include the followingprocedures.

At block 601, an eNB reports actual usage condition of eMBMS radioresources to the MCE.

The message of block 601 may include actual usage condition of eMBMSradio resources. Radio resources are configured for an MBSFN, an eNB maycover multiple MBSFNs, and different MBSFNs may have different resourceusage conditions. Therefore, the message may include the identity of theMBSFN corresponding to the radio resources. An MBSFN corresponds to aset of service areas, thus can be represented using a list of serviceareas.

The actual usage condition of the radio resources may be a resourceusage level. For example, there may be three resource usage levels, forexample, high, medium, low, or overload, full-load and allow-more-load.Full-load means no more eMBMS bearers should be allocated to the currenteMBMS radio resources. Alternatively, there may be two levels, forexample, overload and full-load. Overload means no more eMBMS bearersshould be allocated to the current eMBMS radio resources. There may beonly one level. The eNB may indicate the radio resources are fullyloaded. Fully loaded means no more eMBMS bearers should be allocated tothe current eMBMS radio resources.

The actual usage condition of the eMBMS radio resources may also be apercentage value of actually in-use resources in allocated resources, ora percentage value of idle resources in allocated resources, or theamount of data actually transmitted, for example, the number of bytestransmitted within a defined cyclic time period, or the amount of datathat can be transmitted using idle radio resources, for example, thenumber of bytes that can be transmitted within a defined cyclic timeperiod. The idle resources are available radio resources, and cantransmit more MBMS service data. If there are no idle resources, itmeans the eMBMS radio resources may not transmit more data.

After an eNB reports the actual usage condition of the eMBMS radioresources, the MCE may have two processing manners respectively as shownin FIG. 3 and FIG. 4.

The MCE may re-configure eMBMS radio resources based on the actual usagecondition as in the method shown in FIG. 3, that is, performing theprocedure in block 602.

Alternatively, the MCE may perform the procedure in block 603 andsubsequent procedures shown in FIG. 4. The MCE may send the informationindicating the overload to a GCSE AS via a core network of the LTEsystem.

At block 602, the MCE configures the eMBMS radio resources.

After receiving the message sent in block 601, the MCE may choose toconfigure more radio resources for the eMBMS. Since the informationreported in block 601 is for radio resources of the whole eMBMS bearer,if multiple MCHs reuse the eMBMS bearer and the usage informationindicates an overload state, the MCE does not know resource usagecondition of each MCH, and has to adjust radio resources of the wholeeMBMS bearer, for example, allocate more radio resources to the eMBMS,to eliminate the overload state. If the actual usage condition isfull-load or overload, after receiving a session start message sent byan MME for a new eMBMS bearer, the MCE may send a session setup failuremessage to the MME. If the actual usage condition is allow-more-bearers,the MCE may accept a new session start message.

If the actual usage condition of the eMBMS radio resources reported bythe eNB is a percentage value of used resources in allocated resourcesor a percentage value of idle resources in allocated resources, the MCEmay perform resource re-allocation according to the percentage value.The MCE may determine usage condition of the eMBMS radio resources inthe eNB. The method of making the determination may include deciding theusage condition using plural pre-defined thresholds. For example, if thepercentage of in-use resources is high (or the percentage of idleresources is low) enough to reach an overload threshold, the MCE decidesthe eMBMS radio resources are overloaded in the eNB. A determinationthat the eMBMS radio resources are fully loaded or the like can be madein a similar manner. The MCE may perform different actions based ondifferent actual usage conditions of the radio resources in the eNB.

At block 603, the MCE sends a message to a core network. The message mayinclude information of actual usage condition of the radio resources.

The actual usage condition of the radio resources may be the actualusage condition of the eMBMS radio resources in the message received bythe MCE in block 601, or may include one or multiple of the followinginformation items based on the message in block 601.

-   -   1: TMGI of a bearer. If the actual usage condition of the eMBMS        radio resources in the eNB is overload, the MCE may select one        or multiple TMGIs. The selection may be made based on the QoS of        the service. The TMGIs is sent together with an overload        indication.    -   2: The range of the overload. If the actual usage condition of        the eMBMS radio resources in the eNB is overload, the range of        the overload may be an identity of an MBSFN or an identity of a        service area.    -   3: A usage state of the radio resources, which may be one of        multiple levels, for example, overload, full-load (that is,        incapable of accepting more services), and available (that is,        capable of accepting more services). The usage state may        otherwise be a percentage of actually-in-use resources in        allocated resources, or may be information in other forms. The        usage state of the radio resource may be obtained in the manner        as described in block 602 or in other manners. The usage state        may include a range corresponding to the radio resources, for        example, a list of service areas.    -   4: An overload indication, informing the GCSE AS that no more        data should be scheduled. The overload indication may also        include a range of the radio resources, for example, an identity        of a service area.

At block 604, the core network sends the message to the BM-SC. Themessage in block 603 is forwarded.

At block 605, the BM-SC sends a message to the GCSE AS.

After receiving the actual usage condition of the radio resources sentby the MCE, the BM-SC may determine an overload state occurs based onthe actual usage condition, and include the information indicating theoverload into the message.

The information indicating the overload may be represented by the nameof the message or an information element included in the message.

The message may also include the following information items.

-   -   1: TMGI of a bearer. The identity may be the TMGI sent by the        MCE in block 603, or one or multiple TMGIs selected by the BM-SC        based on the range of the overload which includes QoS        information of the eMBMS bearer.    -   2: A usage state of the radio resources, which may be one of        multiple levels, for example, overload, full-load (that is,        incapable of accepting more services), and available (that is,        capable of accepting more services). The usage state may        otherwise be a percentage of actually-in-use resources in        allocated resources, or may be information in other forms. The        usage state may also include a range of the radio resources, for        example, a list of service areas.    -   3: An overload indication, informing the GCSE AS that no more        data should be scheduled. After receiving the indication, the        GCSE AS may delay transmission of to-be-transmitted data for a        time period or transmit the GCSE services in unicast bearers.

At block 606, the GCSE AS may establish a unicast channel fortransporting a GCSE service corresponding to the TMGI sent by the BM-SC.The process is the same with that in conventional mechanisms.Alternatively, the GCSE AS may establish a unicast channel fortransporting a GCSE service corresponding to one or multiple TMGIs ifthe usage state of the radio resources in block 605 indicates overload.The process of the establishment is the same with that in conventionalmechanisms. If the usage state indicates full-load and there are moredata waiting to be transmitted for the GCSE services, the GCSE AS maydelay the transmission for a time period or establish unicast bearersfor transmitting the GCSE services. Since the GCSE service istransmitted in unicast bearers, there is no need to retain the eMBMSbearers corresponding to the GCSE services. The GCSE AS may send amessage to the BM-SC to release the eMBMS bearers.

At block 607, the BM-SC initiates an eMBMS session termination process,sends a session stop message to MCE via the core network. The MCEschedules the eNB to release the eMBMS radio resources. The process isthe same with that in conventional mechanisms. The process is notdescribed further herein.

Hence, the process of this example is completed.

Example 3

In this example, the usage information of eMBMS radio resources reportedby an eNB is radio resources usage information of each MCH or each TMGIwithin an MBSFN. The eNB reports usage information of the radioresources to the MCE, and the MCE sends the usage information to a GCSEAS via a core network. The GCSE AS may send some of GCSE services usingunicast bearers as in the method shown in FIG. 4. Alternatively, the MCEmay re-configure MBMS radio resources according to the usage informationof the radio resources to eliminate the overloaded state of the eNB asin the method shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating adetailed process of example 3. The process may include the followingprocedures.

At block 701, an eNB reports usage information of an MCH to an MCE.

The message in block 701 may include an identity of an MCH and radioresources usage information of the MCH. Radio resources are configuredfor an MBSFN, an eNB may cover multiple MBSFNs, and different MBSFNs mayhave different resource usage conditions. Therefore, the message mayinclude the identity of the MBSFN corresponding to the radio resources.

Conventional messages sent by an MCE for configuring schedulinginformation of eMBMS radio resources do not include an MCH identity. Inan example, the message for configuring scheduling information mayexplicitly specify the identity of the MCH. Alternatively, in themessage, the usage information is a list in which each elementcorresponds to an MCH, and the position of an MCH in the list is decidedbased on the order of the MCHs being configured in the message sent bythe MCE for configuring scheduling information. For example, an MCHwhich is first configured is placed at the first position in the list ofradio resources usage information, and an MCH which is second configuredis placed at the second position in the list, and so on.

The message in block 701 may include an identity of an MCH and radioresources usage information of the MCH. Different transmission channelsmay have different actual usage conditions because the transmissionchannels may transport different MBMS services. The resources usageinformation reported may be a usage level. For example, there may bethree levels (high, medium, low), or two levels. The resources usageinformation reported may be a percentage value of resources occupied fordata transmission in allocated resources. A percentage value larger than100% indicates to-be-transmitted data is beyond the transmissioncapacity of the previously allocated resources. The resources usageinformation may also be a percentage value of idle resources inallocated resources or an accurate value of the amount of used resourcesor idle resources. In other examples, the usage information of radioresources of an MCH may be represented in other manners.

For an example, suppose an MBSFN is configured with MCH1 and MCH2, TMGI1and TMGI2 reuse MCH1, TMGI3 and TMGI4 reuse MCH2. Resources usage levelof MCH1 is high, and resources usage level of MCH2 is medium. Radioresources allocated to MCH1 and MCH2 can transmit data of 100 byteswithin a cyclic time period. TMGI1 and TMGI2 are to transmit data of 150bytes within a cyclic time period, while TMGI3 and TMGI4 are to transmitdata of 50 bytes within a cyclic time period. The report of the eNB maybe in the form of the following table 1.

TABLE 1 Name of information element value identity of MBSFN area Area-1MCH ID MCH1 resources usage information overload (or high, or 150%) MCHID MCH2 resources usage information capable of bearing more services (orlow, or 50%)

In another example, the message may include no MCH ID. Instead, usageinformation of MCHs are arranged according to an order that is the samewith the order of MCHs in the message sent by the MCE for configuringscheduling information of the eNB. The report of the eNB may be in theform of the following table 2. List element 1 corresponds to the MCHwhich is first configured in a PMCH configuration list in a message forconfiguring scheduling information of the eNB.

TABLE 2 Name of information element value identity of MBSFN area Area-1MCH resources usage information list resources usage information listelement 1: overload (or high, or 150%) list element 2: capable ofbearing more services (or low, or 50%)

Conventional messages sent by an MCE for configuring schedulinginformation of eMBMS radio resources do not include an MCH identity, butconfigures a TMGI which is the identity of an eMBMS bearer that reusesthe MCH. The eNB does not record the MCH identity. Therefore, the MCHmay be identified by the TMGI. For example, an MCH may be identified bythe TMGI of the first eMBMS bearer that reuses the MCH, or by TMGIs ofall eMBMS bearers that reuse the MCH.

According to the above example, the report sent by the eNB may be in theform of the following table 3.

TABLE 3 Name of information element value identity of MBSFN area Area-1TMGI TMGI1 or/and TMGI2 resources usage information overload (or high,or 150%) TMGI TMGI3 or/and TMGI4 resources usage information capable ofbearing more services (or low, or 50%)

The MCE may re-configure eMBMS radio resources according to theresources usage information of the MCH, as in the method shown in FIG.3.

Alternatively, the MCE may perform the procedure in block 703 andsubsequent procedures shown in FIG. 4. The MCE may send the resourcesusage information of the MCH to a GCSE AS via a core network of the LTEsystem.

At block 702, the MCE configures the eMBMS radio resources.

After receiving the message sent in block 701, the MCE may choose toconfigure more radio resources for the eMBMS. The MCE has obtainedresources usage information of each MCH according to the information ofblock 701, may not configure more radio resources but adjust the radioresources occupied by each MCH, for example, increasing availableresources of an MCH which is overloaded, and reducing resources of anMCH which is not overloaded, so as to eliminate the overload statewithout allocating more eMBMS radio resources. In the example in block701, the MCE may increase radio resources of MCH1 and reduce radioresources of MCH2 so that radio resources of MCH1 are enough to transmitdata of TMGI1 and TMGI2 to UEs.

If each MCH is overloaded, the MCE may send a session setup failuremessage to an MME after receiving a session setup message sent by theMME for a new eMBMS bearer.

At block 703, the MCE sends a message to the core network. The messagemay include information of resources usage information of each MCH.

The resources usage information of an MCH may be the usage informationof the eMBMS radio resources in the message received by the MCE in block701, or may include one or multiple of the following information itemsbased on the message in block 701.

-   -   1: TMGI of a bearer. If resources usage information of an MCH is        overloaded in the eNB, the MCE may select one or multiple TMGIs        from all eMBMS bearers that reuse the MCH. The MCE may be        selected based on the QoS of the services.    -   2: The range of the overload. If the resources usage information        of an MCH in the eNB is overload, a GCSE service on the MCH may        be selected, and the message may include an overload indication        and the range of the overload corresponding to the selected GCSE        service. The range of the overload may be an identity of an        MBSFN area or an identity of a service area.    -   3: Usage state of radio resources. The MCE may decide usage        information of eMBMS radio resources according to the resources        usage information of each MCH. The eMBMS radio resources usage        information may be one of multiple levels, for example,        overload, full-load (incapable of bearing more services),        available (capable of bearing more services), or may be a        percentage value of actually used resources in allocated        resources, or may be in other forms. The usage information may        also include the range of the radio resources, for example, an        identity of a service area.    -   4: Overload indication. The MCE may determine usage information        of the eMBMS radio resources according to resources usage        information of each MCH, informing the GCSE AS that no more data        can be scheduled. The overload indication may also include a        range of the radio resources, for example, an identity of a        service area.

At block 704, the core network sends the message to the BM-SC. Themessage in block 703 is forwarded.

At block 705, the BM-SC sends a message to the GCSE AS.

After receiving the resources usage information sent by the MCE, theBM-SC may determine an overload state occurs based on the resourcesusage information, and include the overload indication into the message.

The overload indicating may be represented by the name of the message orby an information element included in the message.

The message may also include the following information items.

-   -   1: TMGI of a bearer. The identity may be the TMGI sent by the        MCE in block 703, or one or multiple TMGIs selected by the BM-SC        based on the range of the overload sent by the MCE which        includes QoS information of the eMBMS bearer.    -   2: A usage state of the radio resources sent by the MCE, which        may be one of multiple levels, for example, overload, full-load        (that is, incapable of bearing more services), and available        (that is, capable of bearing more services). The usage state may        otherwise be a percentage of actually-in-use resources in        allocated resources, or may be information in other forms.    -   3: An overload indication sent by the MCE, informing the GCSE AS        that no more data should be scheduled. After receiving the        indication, the GCSE AS may delay transmission of        to-be-transmitted data for a time period or transmit the GCSE        services in unicast bearers. The overload indication may also        include a range of the radio resources, for example, an identity        of a service area.

At block 706, the GCSE AS may establish a unicast channel fortransporting a GCSE service corresponding to the TMGI sent by the BM-SC.The process is the same with that in conventional mechanisms.Alternatively, the GCSE AS may establish a unicast channel fortransporting a GCSE service corresponding to one or multiple TMGIswithin the range of the radio resources if the usage state of the radioresources in block 705 indicates overload. The process of theestablishment is the same with that in conventional mechanisms. If theusage state indicates full-load and there are more data waiting to betransmitted for the GCSE services, the GCSE AS may delay thetransmission for a time period or establish unicast bearers fortransmitting the GCSE services. Since the GCSE service is transmitted inunicast bearers, there is no need to retain the eMBMS bearerscorresponding to the GCSE services. The GCSE AS may send a message tothe BM-SC to release the eMBMS bearers.

At block 707, the BM-SC initiates an eMBMS session termination process,sends a session stop message to MCE via the core network. The MCEschedules the eNB to release the eMBMS radio resources. The process isthe same with that in conventional mechanisms. The process is notdescribed further herein.

Hence, the process of this example is completed.

All eNBs within an MBSFN area are allocated with the same resources, andreceive the same data from the same MBMS-GW. Therefore, all the eNBshave the same usage information of eMBMS radio resources, and transmitthe same report of radio resources usage information. Signalingtransmitted over M2 interfaces can be reduced by configuring only oneeNB to transmit the report. Accordingly, an example provides a method ofan eNB reporting radio resources usage information. The method may beused together with the method shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, or may be usedalone. In an example, the method may include: an MCE selects an eNB inan MBSFN area, and configures the eNB to send usage information of eMBMSradio resources in the MBSFN area. The configuration of the eNB may beimplemented via an M2 setup response or a customized message sent by theMCE. The method is described in detail in examples 4 and 5.

Example 4

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a method of an eNB reporting radioresources usage information. The method may include the followingprocedures.

At block 801, an eNB sends an M2 setup request to an MCE.

The M2 setup request may include configuration information of the eNB,for example, an eNB ID, an ECGI which is an identity of a cell of theeNB, a synchronous area identity of the cell and a service area identity(SAI).

At block 802, the MCE sends an M2 setup response to the eNB.

The M2 setup response may include the identity and the name of the MCE,and broadcast information in connection with an eMBMS control channel.The M2 setup response may also include an indication indicating whetherthe eNB or a cell in the eNB is required to report overload informationor information about eMBMS radio resources.

The M2 setup response may also configure whether the report is to beperiodically sent or sent in response to a trigger event. If the reportis to be sent periodically, the response may also include configurationsof the interval. If the report is to be sent in response to a triggerevent, the response may also include configurations of a threshold ofthe trigger event.

Hence, the process of this example is completed.

Example 5

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a method of an eNB reporting radioresources usage information. The method may include the followingprocedures.

At block 901, an MCE sends a report configuration message to an eNB.

The report configuration message may include an identity of an MBSFNarea, information indicating whether the report is to be periodicallysent or sent in response to a trigger event. If the report is to be sentperiodically, the response may also include configurations of theinterval. If the report is to be sent in response to a trigger event,the response may also include configurations of a threshold of thetrigger event. The MCE selects an eNB within the MBSFN area forreporting radio resources usage information. The MCE sends the reportconfiguration message to the eNB, and the eNB that receives the messagetransmits the report. The eNB may send a message to inform the MCE thatthe message of block 901 has been received. This procedure is forconfirming the successful transmission of the message over the M2interface. This procedure is not described.

At block 902, the eNB sends a report to the MCE.

The eNB transmits a report according to the configuration sent by theMCE. The eNB performs the report according to an interval or a thresholdconfigured by the MCE.

Hence, the process of this example is completed.

Example 6

This example describes an eNB sends a message to a UE instructing the UEto setup a unicast channel when eMBMS radio resources are overloaded.The method of this example is a third method for radio resourcesmanagement. FIG. 10 is a flowchart of the method of this example. Thisexample also describes the process through description of interactionsbetween entities. The process may include the following procedures.

At block 1001, an eNB sends a message indicating eMBMS radio resourcesare overloaded to an MCE.

The eNB finds out that the eMBMS radio resources are not enough totransmit all data sent by an MBMS GW to UEs, and data on an eMBMS beareris discarded. The eNB sends a message indicating the radio resources areoverloaded via a control channel of the eMBMS bearer. The message mayinclude a TMGI which is an identity of the eMBMS bearer.

At block 1002, the UE initiates a process to establish a unicastchannel.

The UE gets information about GCSE service transmitted in the TMGIaccording to information stored in the UE, and actively sends a requestto establish a unicast channel for transmitting downlink data of theGCSE service. The process is the same with conventional process, and isnot described.

Hence, the process of the third method is completed. Further, thefollowing procedures may be carried out to release the eMBMS bearer.

At block 1003, the GCSE AS sends a session stop request to a BM-SC.

The GCSE AS has information that the service is provided through aunicast channel without using the eMBMS bearer, identifies the eMBMSbearer corresponding to the service, and sends a session stop message tothe BM-SC.

At block 1004, the BM-SC initiates a session stop process.

In order to make eNBs within an MBSFN area act in consistency, it isnecessary to configure the eNBs situations when the eNBs is required tosend the message in block 901 to the UE. According to a configurationmethod, the information is pre-configured in a UE via operations,administration and management (OAM), for example, it may be configuredthat when packet loss of a service identified by a TMGI exceeds 20%, theeNB is required to inform the UE. Alternatively, the information may beconfigured by an MCE in the eNB. The configuration process is describedin block 801 in example 8, the configuration information includesconditions or a threshold for an eNB sending an overload indication to aUE. For example, it may be configured that when a service has a packetloss of over 20%, the eNB should inform the UE.

Hence, the process of this example is completed.

Example 7

In this example, the radio resources usage information reported by aneNB is information indicating an error or a failure occurs in the eNB.When an error or a failure occurs in an eNB which results in the eNBcannot properly transmit data of a service or an error occurs in a userplane between an eNB and an eMBMS GW, the eNB sends a message to an MCE.The MCE sends a message to a GCSE AS. The GCSE AS may transmit servicedata to the UE via a unicast channel. FIG. 11 is a flowchartillustrating a process of example 7. The process may include thefollowing procedures.

At block 1101, an eNB report an error or failure indication to an MCE.

The error or failure indication may be represented by the name of themessage or an information element included in the message. Theindication may be sent to the MCE during a conventional reset process.The message may include an identity or an SAI of the eNB or a TMGI thatis affected.

At block 1102, the MCE sends an error or failure indication message tothe core network.

The message of block 1102 may include the SAI or the identity of theeNB. The message may also include a TMGI which is the identity of aservice whose data transmission is affected.

At block 1103, the core network sends an eNB error or failure indicationmessage to a BM-SC.

The core network may forward the message of block 1102 to the BM-SC.

At block 1104, the BM-SC sends an eNB failure or error indicationmessage to a GCSE AS.

At block 1105, the GCSE AS may establish a unicast channel fortransporting a GCSE service within an area identified by the SAI or aservice area of the eNB. The process is the same with that inconventional mechanisms. Alternatively, the GCSE AS may establish aunicast channel for transporting a GCSE service corresponding to theTMGI sent by the BM-SC. The process is the same with that inconventional mechanisms.

The GCSE AS may send a session stop message to the BM-SC to release theeMBMS bearer or modify the eMBMS bearer. Modifying the eMBMS bearerrefers to modifying the service area of the eMBMS bearer and deletingthe SAI of the eNB from the service area of the eMBMS bearer.

At block 1106, the BM-SC may send a session stop message or a sessionupdate message to the MCE. The process is the same with conventionalsession stop process or session update process. The process is notdescribed further herein.

Hence, the process of this example is completed.

Example 8

In this example, the eMBMS radio resources usage information reported byan eNB is information indicating the eNB has eliminated the overloadstate or indicating the eNB has recovered from an error or a failure.When an eNB has eliminated the overload state or has recovered from afailure or an error and starts to work normally (properly), the eNB maysend a message to inform an MCE of this information. The MCE may send amessage to a GCSE AS. The GCSE AS may send service data to a UE via anMCH channel. FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a process of thisexample. The process may include the following procedures.

At block 1201, an eNB sends a resources recovery report to an MCE.

When the eMBMS radio resources usage information recovers from anoverloaded state and are capable of supporting more eMBMS bearers, theeNB report the overload recovery information to the MCE to avoid the MCEstill regarding the eMBMS resources are overloaded and rejecting tosupport other eMBMS bearers. The message may also include resourcesusage information. Similar to the above examples, the resources usageinformation may be an actual resource usage level or a percentage valueof actually used resources in the eMBMS radio resources. The resourcesusage information may be for radio resources within an MBSFN area, orfor each MCH.

In an example, after the eNB has recovered from a failure or an errorand has begun running normally, the eNB may report the information tothe MCE. The information about the recovery from the error or thefailure may be reported to the MCE via a resources recovery message tothe MCE or via a current M2 interface. When the eNB fails, the eNB maysend a reset request. When the eNB has recovered, the eNB may send an M2setup request which is the same with current M2 setup request. The MCEobtains knowledge from the information that the eNB has recovered.

At block 1202, the MCE may send resources recovery information to thecore network. The information may include information about therecovery.

After the MCE knows that the eMBMS radio resources of the eNB are nolonger overloaded or the eNB can run normally, the MCE may accept neweMBMS services.

The MCE may also send information regarding the recovery to the GCSE ASvia the core network.

Besides the overload recovery indication or a recovery-to-normalindication, the message of block 1202 may also include an SAI or anidentity of the eNB for specifying the eNB which has recovered from theoverload or has returned to normal running state.

The MCE may also send actual usage information of radio resources forspecifying actual usage condition of the resources. The actual usageinformation may be represented by a level (medium or low) or apercentage value.

At block 1203, the core network sends the message to the BM-SC. Themessage in block 1202 is forwarded.

At block 1204, the BM-SC sends a message to the GCSE AS. The message mayinclude information about the state recovery.

At block 1205, the GCSE AS may transmit a GCSE service using an eMBMSbearer, sends an MBMS session start message to the BM-SC; or the GCSE ASmay extend transmission range of the eMBMS bearer, modify the servicearea of the eMBMS bearer, and send an MBMS update message to the BM-SC.

At block 1206, the BM-SC may send an MBMS session start message or anMBMS session update message to the MCE. The process is the same withconventional session start process or session update process. Theprocess is not described further herein.

Hence, the process of this example is completed.

After receiving the new eMBMS session start message, there isinsufficient radio resources and the newly established eMBMS bearer hasa higher priority, the eMBMS bearer may occupy radio resources that havebeen allocated to an eMBMS bearer that has a lower priority. Variousexamples provide two methods for radio resources management to avoidnormal transmission of GCSE service data using the eMBMS bearer whoseresources are occupied by the newly established eMBMS bearer.

According to method 1, the MCE informs a UE that the resources have beenoccupied, and the UE establishes a unicast channel for receiving theGCSE service. In an example, the UE receives eMBMS control informationsent by the eNB, sends a request to the GCSE AS in response to adetermination that the control information does not include a GCSEservice that the UE still wants to receive, and establishes a unicastchannel for transmitting downlink data of the GCSE service. In addition,although radio resources of the eMBMS bearer are occupied by anotherbearer, data is still transmitted to the eNB via the eMBMS bearer andthen discarded by the eNB, which is a waste of network resources forbackhaul. In order to save backhaul resources, the MCE may inform theGCSE AS that the resources are occupied, and the GCSE AS may initiate aneMBMS release process. In an example, the GCSE AS receives the resourcestate report sent by the MCE via the BM-SC. The report may includeinformation indicating the radio resources of the established eMBMSbearer have been occupied by a new eMBMS bearer, and a TMGI of theestablished eMBMS bearer. The GCSE AS terminates the GCSE servicetransmitted on the established eMBMS bearer, and instructs the BM-SC torelease the established eMBMS bearer.

According to method 2, the MCE report information of the resourceoccupation to the GCSE AS. The GCSE AS transmits a GCSE servicetransmitted on the eMBMS bearer whose resources are occupied by anotherbearer, and sends a session stop message to the BM-SC to release theeMBMS bearer. If not doing so, although radio resources of the eMBMSbearer are occupied by another bearer, data is still transmitted to theeNB via the eMBMS bearer and then discarded by the eNB, which is a wasteof network resources for backhaul. In an example, the GCSE AS receivesthe resource state report sent by the MCE via the BM-SC. The report mayinclude information indicating the radio resources of the establishedeMBMS bearer have been occupied by a new eMBMS bearer, and a TMGI of theestablished eMBMS bearer. The GCSE AS terminates the GCSE servicetransmitted on the established eMBMS bearer, and instructs the BM-SC torelease the established eMBMS bearer.

The above methods are described with reference to the followingexamples. The examples are also described through description ofinteractions between entities.

Example 9

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a process of example 9. The processmay include the following procedures.

At block 1301, an MCE sends scheduling information to an eNB.

The MCE decides that a new eMBMS bearer has occupied radio resources ofan established first eMBMS bearer, generates new scheduling informationwhich is to be transmitted via an air interface and includes theidentity of the new eMBMS bearer and configurations of transmissionchannels of the new eMBMS bearer and does not include information of thefirst eMBMS bearer.

At block 1302, the eNB sends control information to a UE.

The eNB sends the new control information via an eMBMS control channelaccording to scheduling information configured by the MCE. The controlinformation does not include the first eMBMS bearer whose resources havebeen occupied by the new eMBMS bearer.

At block 1303, if the UE still wants to receive the GCSE service, the UEinitiates a process to establish a unicast channel.

The UE obtains information of a GCSE service transported on the beareridentified by the TMGI according to stored information. If the TMGI isnot transmitted in the control channel and data channel of the eMBMSbearer and the UE still wants to receive the GCSE service, the UE mayinitiate a request to establish a unicast channel for transmittingdownlink data of the GCSE service. The process is the same withconventional process, and is not described.

GCSE service continuity are maintained through the procedures in blocks1301 and 1303, and the process of method 1 is completed. The followingprocedures may be carried out to save backhaul resources.

At block 1304, the MCE sends a resource state report to the corenetwork.

The MCE report the information about the resources being occupiedthrough the message in block 1304. The message may include a TMGI of thefirst eMBMS bearer. The core network includes an MME and an MBMS-GW.

At block 1305, the core network sends a resource state report to aBM-SC.

The core network reports the information about the resources beingoccupied to the BM-SC through the message in block 1305. The message mayinclude the identity of the first eMBMS.

At block 1306, the BM-SC sends a resource state report to the GCSE AS.

The core network reports the information about the resources beingoccupied to the BM-SC through the message in block 1306. The message mayinclude the identity of the first eMBMS.

At block 1307, the GCSE AS sends an eMBMS session stop message to theBM-SC to release the first eMBMS bearer. The message may include theidentity of the first eMBMS bearer.

At block 1308, the BM-SC initiates an eMBMS session stop process torelease the first eMBMS bearer. The process is the same with theconventional session stop process. The process is not described furtherherein.

Hence, the process of this example is completed.

Example 10

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a process of example 10. The processmay include the following procedures.

At block 1401, the MCE sends a resource state report to the corenetwork.

The MCE decides that a new eMBMS bearer has occupied radio resources ofan established first eMBMS bearer, generates new scheduling informationwhich is to be transmitted via an air interface and includes theidentity of the new eMBMS bearer and configurations of transmissionchannels of the new eMBMS bearer and does not include information of thefirst eMBMS bearer.

The MCE report the information about the resources being occupiedthrough the message in block 1401. The message may include a TMGI of thefirst eMBMS bearer. The core network includes an MME and an MBMS-GW.

At block 1402, the core network sends a resource state report to aBM-SC.

The core network reports the information about the resources beingoccupied to the BM-SC through the message in block 1402. The message mayinclude the identity of the first eMBMS.

At block 1403, the BM-SC sends a resource state report to the GCSE AS.

The core network reports the information that the resources have beenoccupied to the BM-SC through the message in block 1403. The message mayinclude the identity of the first eMBMS.

At block 1404, the GCSE AS establishes a unicast channel fortransporting a GCSE service corresponding to the TMGI sent by the BM-SC.The process is the same with that in conventional mechanisms.

The GCSE AS sends an eMBMS session stop message to the BM-SC to releasethe first eMBMS bearer. The message may include the identity of thefirst eMBMS bearer.

At block 1405, the BM-SC initiates an eMBMS session stop process torelease the first eMBMS bearer. The process is the same with theconventional session stop process. The process is not described furtherherein.

Hence, the process of this embodiment is ended.

The above are several examples of the method of radio resourcesmanagement of the present disclosure. Various examples also provide anapparatus for radio resources management that is capable of implementingthe above methods.

An apparatus for radio resources management of an example may include areception module and a re-configuration module. The reception module isconfigured to receive usage information of eMBMS radio resources sent byan eNB, and forward the usage information to the re-configurationmodule. The re-configuration module is configured to re-configure theeMBMS radio resources to eliminate an overload state when deciding theeMBMS radio resources are overloaded based on the usage information.

An apparatus for radio resources management of another example mayinclude a reception module and a scheduling module. The reception moduleis configured to receive usage information of eMBMS radio resources sentby a BM-SC, and forward the usage information to the scheduling module.The usage information is determined by the BM-SC based on usageinformation of the eMBMS radio resources sent by an eNB via an MCE. Thescheduling module is configured to adjust scheduling of a servicetransmitted using the eMBMS radio resources based on the usageinformation.

An apparatus for radio resources management of another example mayinclude a reception module and a bearer setup module. The receptionmodule is configured to receive information indicating eMBMS radioresources are overloaded sent by an eNB, and forward the information tothe bearer setup module. The information includes a TMGI of an eMBMSbearer to which discarded data belongs. The bearer setup module isconfigured to send a request to a GCSE AS, and establish a unicastchannel for transmitting downlink data of a GCSE service transmitted onthe eMBMS bearer.

An apparatus for radio resources management of another example mayinclude a reception module and a bearer setup module. The receptionmodule is configured to receive control information sent by an eNB, andforward the control information to the bearer setup module. The controlinformation is determined by the eNB based on scheduling informationconfigured by an MCE. The MCE configures the scheduling information whena new second eMBMS bearer occupies radio resources of an establishedfirst eMBMS bearer. The scheduling information includes information ofthe second eMBMS bearer, and does not include information of the firsteMBMS bearer. The bearer setup module is configured to requestestablishing a unicast channel for transmitting a GCSE servicetransmitted on the first eMBMS in response to a determination that thecontrol information does not include the information of the first eMBMSbearer and that the UE still needs to receive the GCSE service.

An apparatus for radio resources management of another example mayinclude a reception module and a processing module. The reception moduleis configured to receive a resource state report sent by an MCE via aBM-SC. The report may include information indicating radio resources ofan established first eMBMS bearer have been occupied by a new secondeMBMS bearer, and a TMGI of the first eMBMS bearer. The processingmodule is configured to terminate a GCSE service transmitted on thefirst eMBMS bearer, and instruct the BM-SC to release the first eMBMSbearer.

The foregoing are only preferred examples of the present disclosure andare not for use in limiting the protection scope thereof. Allmodifications, equivalent replacements or improvements in accordancewith the spirit and principles of the present disclosure shall beincluded in the protection scope of the present disclosure.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method for providing a multimediabroadcast/multicast service (MBMS) by a base station in a wirelesscommunication system, the method comprising: receiving, from a networkentity via an M2 interface, a first message including first informationfor configuring a physical multicast channel (PMCH) for a MBMS andsecond information on one or more service identity associated with thePMCH; generating third information indicating an overload status of thePMCH; and transmitting, to the network entity via the M2 interface, asecond message including an identifier of a multicast broadcast singlefrequency network (MBSFN) area associated with the MBMS, the thirdinformation indicating the overload status of the PMCH, and fourthinformation on at least one service identity of the one or more serviceidentity associated with the PMCH.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein theone or more service identity includes one or more temporary mobile groupidentity (TMGI), and wherein at least one service identity includes atleast one TMGI.
 3. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving,from the network entity, a third message reconfiguring the PMCH based onthe third information and the fourth information, in case that the thirdinformation indicates that the PMCH is overloaded, wherein the networkentity is a multi-cell/multicast coordination entity (MCE), and whereinthe PMCH is reconfigured by at least one of the MCE, abroadcast/multicast service center (BM-SC) and a group communicationsystem enabler application server (GCSE-AS).
 4. A method for providing amultimedia broadcast/multicast service (MBMS) by a network entity in awireless communication system, the method comprising: transmitting, to abase station via an M2 interface, a first message including firstinformation for configuring a physical multicast channel (PMCH) for aMBMS and second information on one or more service identity associatedwith the PMCH; and receiving, from the base station via the M2interface, a second message including an identifier of a multicastbroadcast single frequency network (MBSFN) area associated with theMBMS, the third information indicating the overload status of the PMCH,and fourth information on at least one service identity of the one ormore service identity associated with the PMCH.
 5. The method of claim4, wherein the one or more service identity includes one or moretemporary mobile group identity (TMGI), and wherein at least one serviceidentity includes at least one TMGI.
 6. The method of claim 4, furthercomprising transmitting, to the base station via the M2 interface, athird message reconfiguring the PMCH based on the third information andthe fourth information, in case that the third information indicatesthat the PMCH is overloaded, wherein the network entity is amulti-cell/multicast coordination entity (MCE), and wherein the PMCH isreconfigured by at least one of the MCE, a broadcast/multicast servicecenter (BM-SC) and a group communication system enabler applicationserver (GCSE-AS).
 7. A base station for providing a multimediabroadcast/multicast service (MBMS) in a wireless communication system,the base station comprising: a transceiver configured to transmit andreceive signals; and a controller configured to: receive, from a networkentity via an M2 interface, a first message including first informationfor configuring a physical multicast channel (PMCH) for a MBMS andsecond information on one or more service identity associated with thePMCH, generate third information indicating an overload status of thePMCH, and transmit, to the network entity via the M2 interface, a secondmessage including an identifier of a multicast broadcast singlefrequency network (MBSFN) area associated with the MBMS, the thirdinformation indicating the overload status of the PMCH, and fourthinformation on at least one service identity of the one or more serviceidentity associated with the PMCH.
 8. The base station of claim 7,wherein the one or more service identity includes one or more temporarymobile group identity (TMGI), and wherein at least one service identityincludes at least one TMGI.
 9. The base station of claim 7, wherein thecontroller is further configured to receive, from the network entity, athird message reconfiguring the PMCH based on the third information andthe fourth information, in case that the third information indicatesthat the PMCH is overloaded, wherein the network entity is amulti-cell/multicast coordination entity (MCE), and wherein the PMCH isreconfigured by at least one of the MCE, a broadcast/multicast servicecenter (BM-SC) and a group communication system enabler applicationserver (GCSE-AS).
 10. A network entity for providing a multimediabroadcast/multicast service (MBMS) in a wireless communication system,the network entity comprising: a transceiver configured to transmit andreceive signals; and a controller configured to: transmit, to a basestation via a M2 interface, a first message including first informationfor configuring a physical multicast channel (PMCH) for a MBMS andsecond information on one or more service identity associated with thePMCH, and receive, from the base station via the M2 interface, a secondmessage including an identifier of a multicast broadcast singlefrequency network (MBSFN) area associated with the MBMS, the thirdinformation indicating the overload status of the PMCH, and fourthinformation on at least one service identity of the one or more serviceidentity associated with the PMCH.
 11. The network entity of claim 10,wherein the one or more service identity includes one or more temporarymobile group identity (TMGI), and wherein at least one service identityincludes at least one TMGI.
 12. The network entity of claim 10, whereinthe controller is further configured to transmit, to the base stationvia the M2 interface, a third message reconfiguring the PMCH based onthe third information and the fourth information, in case that the thirdinformation indicates that the PMCH is overloaded, wherein the networkentity is a multi-cell/multicast coordination entity (MCE), and whereinthe PMCH is reconfigured by at least one of the MCE, abroadcast/multicast service center (BM-SC) and a group communicationsystem enabler application server (GCSE-AS).